Surprise state tops list of best places to retire in the US

Daily Mail​

a day ago

New England has emerged as the best region to spend your twilight years with four of its states ranked among the top ten places to retire.
Taking the crown for the best state to put down roots in retirement has been awarded to often overlooked New Hampshire.
The state, known for its luscious green wilderness and quaint towns, is also a great bet for those looking to retire due to its low taxes, excellent healthcare and safe neighborhoods.
The state triumphed in an analysis run by Bankrate which analyzed factors including a state's affordability, weather, safety, healthcare, taxes and how many people there would be of a similar age.
New Hampshire ranked as the best of all fifty states for neighborhood safety, fifth for healthcare and sixth for taxes.
It was joined by its New England neighbors Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont in the top ten.
Three western states also scored highly and made the top ten, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.
'Surprising to many, including me, is that there are four states from New England in the top 10,' Bankrate analyst Stephen Kates said of the survey's findings.
'Health care, both access and cost, as well as safety, recreation, and walkability play a major role in our rankings, and these states excel in these categories.'
Intriguingly states that have often been viewed as retirement hotspots scored below the bottom of the table.
Florida was ranked 41st, and was joined by seven other sun belt states in the bottom ten.
'Unlike more common retirement rankings by state, Florida didn't land very high on our list,' Kates explained
'Coming in at number 41, Florida ranks strongly on taxes and abundance of other retirees.
'However, it ranks poorly for health care, home insurance costs and natural disasters, which create significant cost disadvantages for retirees.'
Louisiana earned the unenviable bottom place, scoring poorly in every category.
The sunny southern state even ranked 39th in the weather category due to the number of tornadoes and hurricanes it experiences.
New Hampshire has some of the most celebrated beaches on the East Coast
Bankrate analyst Stephen Kates said it was surprising how well New England states scored
Texas also scored badly, following Louisiana in 49th overall place.
The Lone Star state scored last for healthcare and second last in having people of a similar age.
Kates urged retirees and those looking to retire in the coming years to take note of the new rankings that go beyond the traditional draws such as a sunny, warm climate and low taxes.
He believes that factors such as access to recreational activities and public safety can actually have a greater bearing on a retirees quality of life.